story: Fifty-two countries have participated in the Eurovision Song Contest since it started in 1956. Of these, twenty-seven have won the contest. The contest, organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), is held annually between members of the Union. Broadcasters from different countries submit songs to the event, and cast votes to determine the most popular in the competition. 
  
  Participation in the contest is primarily open to all active member broadcasters of the EBU. To be an active member, broadcasters must be a member of the European Broadcasting Union, or be in a Council of Europe member country. Eligibility to participate is not determined by geographic inclusion within the continent of Europe, despite the "Euro" in "Eurovision" — nor does it have a direct connection with the European Union. Several countries geographically outside the boundaries of Europe have competed: Israel, Cyprus and Armenia, in Western Asia, since 1973, 1981 and 2006 respectively; Morocco, in North Africa, in the 1980 competition alone; and Australia making a debut in the 2015 contest. In addition, several transcontinental countries with only part of their territory in Europe have competed: Turkey, since 1975; Russia, since 1994; Georgia, since 2007; and Azerbaijan, which made its first appearance in the 2008 edition. Two of the countries that have previously sought to enter the competition, Lebanon and Tunisia, in Western Asia and North Africa respectively, are also outside of Europe. The Gulf state of Qatar, in Western Asia, announced in 2009 its interest in joining the contest in time for the 2011 edition. However, this did not materialise, and there are no known plans for a future Qatari entry the Eurovision Song Contest. Australia, where the contest has been broadcast since the 1970s, debuted as a participant in the 2015 edition, with entries in 2016 and 2017.
questions: Who can take part in the contest?
questions: What is one way to be a member?
questions: And another?
questions: Do you need to be located in Europe?
questions: Have any countries competed that are not in Europe?
questions: Has the U.S.?
questions: What about Australia?
questions: What year?
questions: How many times did Morocco compete?
questions: When was Israel's first appearance?
questions: Which Western Asian country first competed in 1981?
questions: Did Qatar ever get in?
questions: Did they want to?
questions: When did they say that?
questions: When will they be allowed in?
questions: Can you watch the contest in Australia?
questions: Since when?
questions: When did this competition first happen?
questions: Have over 100 countries taken part?
questions: Is it held every month?
answers: all active member broadcasters of the EBU
answers: Participation in the contest is primarily open to all active member broadcasters of the EBU
answers: be a member of the European Broadcasting Union
answers: To be an active member, broadcasters must be a member of the European Broadcasting Union
answers: be in a Council of Europe member country
answers: be in a Council of Europe member country
answers: no
answers: s not determined by geographic inclusion within the continent of Europe
answers: yes
answers: Several countries geographically outside the boundaries of Europe have competed:
answers: unknown
answers: unknown
answers: yes
answers: Australia making a debut in the 2015 contest
answers: 2015
answers:  Australia making a debut in the 2015 contest.
answers: once
answers: orocco, in North Africa, in the 1980 competition alone
answers: 1973
answers: rael, Cyprus and Armenia, in Western Asia, since 1973
answers: Armenia 1981
answers: Cyprus and Armenia, in Western Asia, since 1973, 1981
answers: no
answers: The Gulf state of Qatar, in Western Asia, announced in 2009 its interest in joining the contest in time for the 2011 edition. 
answers: yes
answers:  announced in 2009 its interest in joining the contest in time for the 2011 edition. However, this did not materialise,
answers: 2009
answers: Qatar, in Western Asia, announced in 2009 i
answers: 2011
answers: nnounced in 2009 its interest in joining the contest in time for the 2011 edition
answers: yes
answers: ustralia, where the contest has been broadcast since the 1970
answers: 1970s,
answers: where the contest has been broadcast since the 1970s,
answers: 1956
answers:  started in 1956
answers: no
answers: Fifty-two countries have participated 
answers: no
answers:  is held annually 